Last Updated on April 10, 2025 by The Health Master
West Bengal
West Bengal’s Drug Control Administration (WB DCA) has taken swift action and filed a police complaint following threatening calls received by regulatory officers of West Bengal.
These alarming calls, made last week, demanded an immediate halt to ongoing inspections targeting drug sale premises and the intricate pharmaceutical supply chains across the state.
Police Investigation Launched
It is revealed that the police have registered two First Information Reports (FIRs) regarding the threatening calls to the officers of WB DCA.
A thorough investigation is going on to trace the origin of these threatening calls and identify the persons who have made these calls.
Anonymous Threats Detail Demands to Cease Inspections
It was also reported that the department received approximately four to five threatening calls in the past week.
The consistent demand from the unknown callers was clear: cease all inspections immediately.
Government Intervention Sought
Faced with these threatening calls, the regulatory officers swiftly reported the incidents to their senior officers of WB DCA.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the higher authorities referred the matter directly to the state government, urging immediate police intervention.
It was also disclosed that the threatening calls originated from various locations, indicating a potentially wider network involved in these intimidation attempts.
The department has stated that it is treating this issue with the utmost seriousness.
Demands for Security of the officers
The regulatory officers have decided to formally request the government to provide them adequate security and protection while they are on duty.
This plea stems from genuine fear for their personal safety and the well-being of their families.
The chilling memory of the tragic murder of Neha Shoree, a dedicated woman drug regulator who was fatally shot in Mohali in 2019, allegedly by a chemist, casts a long shadow and amplifies the current anxieties among the regulators in West Bengal.
A drug regulator stated their intention to demand security measures to ensure his safety while carrying out his essential duties.
Despite these concerns, he resolutely affirmed his commitment to continue the crucial work of eradicating substandard and counterfeit drugs from the market.
Vigilance Against Falsified Drugs
Echoing this sentiment, another senior drug control officer emphasized that the department remains steadfast in its commitment to preventing the entry of falsified drugs into the market from other states, regardless of the intimidation tactics employed.
This unwavering resolve underscores the dedication of the WB DCA to safeguarding public health.
Collaborative Efforts to Monitor Inter-State Drug Supply
Sources within the directorate revealed that proactive measures are being taken to address the issue at a broader level.
The WB DCA has formally written to the drug control authorities in neighboring states.
The purpose of these communications is to request heightened monitoring of the supply of drugs being sold from manufacturing companies within their respective states to West Bengal.
This collaborative approach aims to ensure the quality and authenticity of pharmaceutical products entering the state.
Furthermore, the directorate confirmed that samples of drugs originating from other states are being systematically collected and sent to designated laboratories for rigorous testing and analysis.
Q. Why are West Bengal drug regulators receiving threatening calls?
A. The threatening calls are being made to pressure drug regulatory officers in West Bengal to stop their ongoing inspections of drug sale premises and pharmaceutical supply chains, which have intensified following the discovery of counterfeit drugs.
Q. What action has the West Bengal Drug Control Administration taken?
A. The WB DCA has filed a complaint with the police, and two FIRs have been registered to investigate the source of the threat calls.
Q. What are the regulators demanding from the government?
A. The regulatory officers are demanding increased security and protection while they are on duty due to concerns for their safety and that of their families.
Disclaimer: This article contains information obtained from the source mentioned below. Our team made changes in the format to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.
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